About
I’ve been designing experiences for over 11 years across a variety of industries.
I love exploring human behavior and creating products that are not only delightful but also intuitive and engaging. My approach focuses on merging technology with human needs, ensuring that every product serves a real purpose while offering a seamless user experience.
About
As a UX Design Lead, I create strategic experiences that inspire, engage, and delight. Throughout my experience as a designer, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented and passionate people, striving for a shared goal in creating the best experience for end customer and also clients.
Caring about sustainability and longevity, I strive to create functional and valuable experiences that leave a positive impact on people and the environment. Besides philosophizing about the impact of digitalization on our culture and society, I am equally avid in building prototypes to turn conceived ideas into tangible experiences.
With passion I pass on my knowledge to future generations and teach in the field of interaction, interface, and information visualisation design. When I’m not teaching or designing, I’ll love spending time on my side projects.
Experience
2018–nowLead UX Designer · Star, Munich
Creating impactful digital experiences from concept to execution, with a focus on research, consulting, storytelling, UX, UI, and interaction design. I lead cross-functional teams, plan and manage client-facing projects, and facilitate workshops to align design strategies with business goals. As part of the Star Munich leadership team, I also recruit, mentor, and shape the agency’s design culture.
Led major design initiatives, collaborating with clients to define strategies and ensure seamless execution from concept to product launch. Played a key role in facilitating design workshops and refining processes to align with user needs and business goals.
2017UX/UI Designer · AutoScout24, Munich
Responsible for UX/UI design in an agile development environment for Europe’s largest online automotive portal. Led projects from insight creation through prototyping to implementation, delivering user-friendly interfaces for Android and web platforms.
2015–2017Interaction Designer · IXDS, now PwC, Berlin and Munich
Worked on a broad range of user interfaces, focusing on embedded UIs and service design. Conducted extensive research and workshops to refine concepts and ensure the successful implementation of user-centered designs in various industries.
2014–nowLecturer · HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd
Teaching user experience and digital product design, covering the entire design process from problem definition to high-fidelity prototyping. I guide students through scientific discourse on the impact of digitalization on society and supervise interactive information visualization projects.
2012–nowFreelance Designer
Working closely with clients and partners on interactive media exhibitions, media installations and branding projects. I also consult on website projects for one of the world’s leading accounting, tax and business advisory firms. I’ve also done website redesign projects for non-profit organisations and registered associations, delivering impactful and user-friendly digital solutions.
2011–2012Internship as Interaction Designer · Tangible Interaction Research, Schwäbisch Gmünd
Conducted research and prototyping in the field of thermal displays and interfaces. Focused on expanding user interface capabilities by integrating haptic feedback for more precise and immersive interactions.
Education
2013–2014Master of Arts, Communication Planning and Design · HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd
The program combined scientific, technical, and social aspects of design to create innovative solutions that addressed cultural, technical, and economic challenges. It emphasized interdisciplinary research and the development of sustainable and socially impactful design strategies.
90 ECTS · Master’s thesis: MNEMO · Overall grade 1.2 (very good)
2009–2013Bachelor of Arts, Interaction Design · HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd
The program focused on the development of user-centered digital products and services. It integrated design with psychology, mechanical engineering, and computer science to create intuitive and functional interfaces. Projects ranged from application design and interface systems to invention design, with an emphasis on addressing real-world challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions.
210 ECTS · Bachelor’s thesis: TESS – Air Traffic Controller Workplace (grade 1.3) · Overall grade 1.3 (very good)
2005–2008A-Level, Design and Media Technology · Technical High School Aalen
The program provided in-depth knowledge in both design and media production, with an emphasis on two-dimensional design, typography, corporate identity, screendesign, and product creation. Practical projects integrated digital and print media, helping students develop technical and creative skills for various media formats.
Awards & exhibitions
The first four for the exhibition Moving Types – Lettern in Bewegung · Moving Types → · red dot 2020 for the Siemens cooktop, awarded to BSH · Siemens Home Appliances →
2021RegioWIN 2030 · lighthouse project ·
The state of Baden-Württemberg named the “albturm mit Zukunftsforum” (Albturm with future forum) a lighthouse project in RegioWIN 2030, its competition for sustainable regional development. Lighthouse projects can apply for funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the state.
2020Red Dot: Best of the Best · product design ·
Awarded to BSH Hausgeräte for the Siemens iQ700 freeInduction Plus cooktop with activeLight; the jury singled out its TFT touch display and the blue light strips. At IXDS I designed the cooktop’s screens and animations and wrote its design and light-line specifications. The award itself went to BSH’s in-house design team.
2020#WirVsVirus Hackathon · 1st place, tracking apps ·
Awarded for the Gretel corona tracking app, recognized at the #WirVsVirus Hackathon, an initiative by the German government to crowdsource innovative solutions to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The hackathon brought together over 28,000 participants, making it one of the largest of its kind.
2015Venture Day · CyberForum e.V., Karlsruhe ·
Took part with SERIKAT in the Venture Day of CyberForum e.V. in Karlsruhe.
2014Zukunftspreis Kommunikation · 1st place, privacy ·
Awarded by DVPT e.V. for the master’s project MNEMO, which focused on future communication forms. The award, under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, honors innovative concepts and visions for future communication.
Presented at the Future Convention – Next Level Communication in the Museum für Kommunikation Frankfurt, where SERIKAT was exhibited as well.
2014Elevator Pitch BW · audience award and 5th place ·
Awarded for the SERIKAT project at the Regional Cup Ostwürttemberg in the Elevator Pitch BW competition, organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, and Housing of Baden-Württemberg. The project was named the audience favorite.
2014German Design Award · nominee ·
Nominated for the Moving Types – Lettern in Bewegung exhibition, which was praised for its innovative use of multimedia and its ability to present complex information in an engaging and interactive format. The German Design Award is an international premium prize by the Rat für Formgebung, recognizing innovative products and projects that set new standards in the German and international design landscape.
2014Hochschulpreis Sparkassenstiftung Ostalb · nominee ·
Nominated for the master’s thesis MNEMO, which was selected by the supervising professor. The Sparkassenstiftung Hochschulpreis highlights exceptional academic achievements within the Ostalb region.
2013iF Communication Design Award · corporate architecture ·
Awarded for the Moving Types – Lettern in Bewegung exhibition, which combined innovative multimedia content with an engaging, interactive exhibition design. The project was praised for its seamless integration of digital and physical spaces to enhance visitor experiences.
2013Zukunftspreis Kommunikation · 7th place ·
Awarded by DVPT e.V. for the bachelor’s project TESS – Air Traffic Controller Workplace. The Zukunftspreis Kommunikation is an innovation competition that highlights forward-thinking and visionary ideas.
Presented with our own stand at the Future Convention – Next Level Communication in the Museum für Kommunikation Frankfurt.
2013Hochschulpreis Sparkassenstiftung Ostalb · nominee ·
Nominated for the bachelor’s thesis TESS, which was selected by the supervising professor. The Sparkassenstiftung Hochschulpreis highlights exceptional academic achievements within the Ostalb region.
2012red dot award · communication design, exhibition ·
Awarded for the Moving Types – Letters in Motion exhibition, recognized for its outstanding design quality. The exhibition used innovative multimedia content to create a dynamic and interactive experience for visitors, setting a benchmark in communication design.
2012Designpreis Rheinland-Pfalz · communication in space ·
Awarded for the exhibition Moving Types – Lettern in Bewegung. It stood out for its integral concept, which supported collaborative exploration. Through intuitive digital features, the exhibition created a shared experience for visitors, making complex content engaging and educational.
2012Luminale 2012 · media façade, Gutenberg Museum Mainz ·
A media façade installation at the Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, where visitors could interact with the display using SMS, making the façade “dance”. The project was a collaboration between the Zentrum Zeitbasierte Gestaltung (zz g), FH Mainz, and Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd.
2012Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes · nomination scholarship
Nominated by the University for the selection seminar in the Design/Art/Film category of the Studienstiftung, Germany’s largest scholarship foundation for gifted students.
2011ADC Junior Award · nominee ·
Nominated in the junior competition of the Art Directors Club Germany with “latch the house – chemische Reaktionen”, an interactive installation that makes everyday chemical reactions tangible: visitors turn a four-sided projection house to move from room to room and start experiments, recognised by infrared tracking.
2011Karl-Gerstner-Preis · nominee
Nominated by a faculty committee for outstanding achievements in design fundamentals. The award, named after renowned Swiss designer Karl Gerstner, honors excellence in foundational design principles and methodology.
2011Landesgartenschau Schwäbisch Gmünd · underpass competition ·
Entry “Streifzug” for the city’s competition to redesign the station underpass (Unterführung Bahnhof), which was to lead visitors to the Landesgartenschau 2014. Horizontal light stripes and keywords about the city bridge the old town and the new station district; angled walls and stainless steel profiles recall the winding old town, while warm, interactive light takes away the unease of an underpass.
Talks & writing
Seven guest lectures, meetups and in-house sessions on human–AI interaction and interface design, among them BMW Group IT, THI Ingolstadt, Hochschule Aalen and Star Connects. Plus a peer-reviewed book chapter (Springer VS, 2025) and two essays in the Bitkom Digital Design Jahrbuch (2025, 2024).
Community
Memberships
FounderUX Research Munich · meetup
Founder and member. Organizes a Meetup group for UX and user research professionals in Munich, providing a platform for knowledge exchange through talks and case studies.
MemberDGTF · design theory and research
Member of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Designtheorie und -forschung (DGTF). Engages in a network that promotes design theory and research in German-speaking countries, fostering discussions on design’s role in society.
MemberInteraction Design Association · IxDA
Involved in a global network dedicated to advancing interaction design, connecting over 120,000 members across local chapters worldwide.
Memberzz g · Zentrum Zeitbasierte Gestaltung
Part of a collaborative research and development center at FH Mainz and HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd, focused on experimental and applied design in communication, animation, and interactive media.
MemberVolt Europa and Volt Deutschland
Active in the national chapter of Volt Deutschland, part of the pan-European political movement Volt Europa, which promotes cross-border collaboration and progressive policies across Europe.
Engagement
Since 2021Jury, HfG Go StartUp Initiative
Jury member identifying startup potential in student projects.
2021Jury, Pitch dein Ding
Jury member for a student funding competition at HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd.
2020–2023Co-Communication Lead · Volt München
Responsible for external communication of Volt Munich.
2017HfG Alumni Slack Network · co-founder
Co-founder of the HfG alumni network.
2017Expert interview · typography in the Internet of Things
Interviewed by student Marlene Arnold for her master’s thesis on “The Role of Typography in the Internet of Things”.
2013Appointment committee · HfG
Member of the appointment committee for the W2 professorship in Interaction Design at HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd.
2012–2013FORMAT editorial team · HfG
Member of the editorial team of the HfG design magazine “FORMAT”.
2010–2017Festkomitee · festival committee, HfG
Organized extracurricular activities for student networking at HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd.
2010–2014Senate & Study Commission · HfG
Elected student representative in HfG committees, 2010–2011 and 2013–2014.
2010–2014AStA · HfG
Active member of the General Student Committee AStA (Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss).
2010–2014Admissions committee · HfG
Served on the Artistic Aptitude Assessment Committee for applicants to the Bachelor’s programme.
2010–2013Student ambassador · HfG
Presented the degree programmes of HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd at the Technical High School Aalen to recruit applicants.
Press
2024NIO × Star: Building Next-Gen Infotainment from Zero ·
An interview with Dominik Witzke and Manuel Gattinger, members of the Star team, about their design work on NIO’s infotainment system, NIO OS. The article covers the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) design approach, challenges and innovations in creating a user-centric experience for NIO’s iF Design Award-winning ES8/ES6 models.
2020WeVsVirus: Projekte von der HfG ·
Article covering projects developed by students from HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd for the #WirVsVirus hackathon. Highlights include innovative solutions addressing COVID-19 challenges, with a special mention of Gretel, an award-winning tracking app project focused on supporting public health efforts during the pandemic.
2018So helfen digitale Tools bei der Arbeit ·
The article discusses how digital tools can facilitate daily work routines. Three experts explain in the Villa Stützel how digitalization can ease office tasks, highlighting the benefits of digital work tools in both internal and external coordination processes.
2015Daten mit Emotionen verknüpfen ·
The article features Dominik Witzke, who discusses the integration of data and emotions in design. He emphasizes the importance of emotional engagement in user experience and shares insights on how emotional design can create meaningful interactions between users and products.
2015Ostalb-Oscars für starke Arbeiten ·
Article about the award ceremony organised by the Sparkassenstiftung Ostalb to honour outstanding student projects in the fields of engineering, design and social sciences.
2014MNEMO – Momentaufnahme durch Emotion ·
This article presents my master’s thesis, MNEMO. It explores an innovative approach to capturing and reliving memories through emotion-driven photography, integrating insights from cognitive science with photography and interaction design.
2013Botschafter auf Augenhöhe ·
The article discusses the role of training ambassadors who, by speaking the same language as students, provide career guidance on an equal footing, making vocational orientation more direct and effective.
2012TESS – Fluglotsenarbeitsplatz ·
This article presents my bachelor project, TESS: a Tangible E-Ink Strip System designed to enhance air traffic control workstations. It improves internal communication and interaction through a tactile interface, integrating digital tools to assist controllers in managing complex flight operations.